Cal fires Jeff Tedford

Tedford resurrected the Bears upon his arrival in December 2001, but the program has slipped on numerous fronts in recent years.

"This was an extraordinarily difficult decision, one that required a thorough and thoughtful analysis of a complex set of factors," Cal athletic director Sandy Barbour said in a news release from the school. "Ultimately, I believed that we needed a change in direction to get our program back on the right track."

The school scheduled a 3 p.m. news conference with Barbour to discuss the change.

Tedford issued a statement released by the school, part of which follows.

"I want to thank the University of California for the opportunity to be a part of this great university and community," Tedford said. "I am so grateful to all of the coaches, players and support staff for playing such a vital role in making Cal Football relevant while enjoying winning seasons nine of 11 years.

"We all can be very proud of helping to build a renovated Memorial Stadium that will have a positive impact on many athletes, fans and staff members for years to come. I will never forget the most gratifying part of these last 11 years, and that has been the relationships with the players I have had the special opportunity to watch grow academically, physically, socially and spiritually."

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Tedford ended his statement by saying, "We wish the university much success — Go Bears!"

A national search for a new head coach, aided by the firm DHR International, will begin immediately, Barbour said in the statement.

The Bears lost five consecutive games to conclude a 3-9 season -- their worst under Tedford.

It's the second time in three seasons that Cal has failed to qualify for the postseason.